5' original falcon..why not????

[Darth Humorous]

When you say "information", what do you refer to? Write-ups about it, or photos?

Because photos of the 5' model are ALL OVER the place, as it has seen (what seems to me) more exposure at museum displays. I've seen it in person no fewer than three times, and have tons of photos myself.

But the 32" I have NEVER seen in person, and have only come across a single web-site with reference-quality photographs.

Perhaps a little of both. Yes, there are plenty of photos for BOTH, even the “32-incher”, if you know where to look. Since I have no interest in the “32-incher”, I haven’t kept track of the sites. True, there are tons of pix for the “5-footer”. Unfortunately, most of them are acquired at the same angles. Understandable given how it is displayed. However, I have never seen one decent pic of the underside of the “5-footer”. By that, I mean in an ortho sense. A fairly decent ortho pic of the “32-incher” underside exists in the Chronicles book. No, the undersides are not the same. And I have never seen either bird in person. Probably never will because I am a man of very modest means, and the exhibits never seem to come near enough to where I am.

As for the “write-ups”, I have seen more “32-incher” threads of greebly discovery and personal builds than I can shake a stick at, plus an open desire to share info and help each other out. And there are excellent sites for the “32-incher”. I have come across only a handful of “5-footer” threads that had any worthwhile substance to them. Yes, I am quite familiar with the ones here. And there were a couple of sites showing pix of others builds, but not really giving up any useful info. One site has been stagnant for years. Some years ago, I tried in vain to start several threads for the “5-footer”, but no one really had any interest in them, and they died. The single most fruitful thread was started by someone of kindred interest on the Starship Modeler site. I answered it, and the thread ran for 13 pages before it disappeared. Nonetheless, I got enough info from it to help me figure out the lions share of the bird. Not talking about greeblies, though as a result, I do know some, and have determined which are and which are not. Yes, I know many greeblies are documented for the “5-footer”. I dare say there are just as many if not more documented for the “32-incher”. As difficult as it is to find certain greeblies for either bird, it is more difficult for the “5-footer”.

Mark

 

[JMChladek]

I know in theory the FM is supposed to represent the 32" MF. But in reality, (or strictly speaking), its a unitque bird, what with the:
--Vertical turrent walls
--Non-tapered escape pods (round sections at the outboard end of the tunnels)
--Incorrectly porportioned cockpit
--Down-sized dish
--Mandible angles
--Etcetera

All too true (BTW, the front angles of the new gear housings are a bit off as well and some of the panel placements are a little weird compared with the references). Big thing is though until I take that dive into studio scale or serious kit accurizing with both feet (which won't happen with my current budget and time constraints) I'll have to live with the limitations. I admit the FM kit isn't perfect of course, but considering what they gave us in the box, it was certainly a better effort then the alternatives.

Whatever makes us happy. :cool

Of course, we are never going to get a true recent ortho view of the underside of the five footer as it looked for ANH unless ILM shot one before they moved out of their Van Nuys location to move north. Those gear bays on the front for ESB mean it got altered a bit. I have seen a couple images in the SW issue of Sci Fi and Fantasy effects Magazine/Book to at least show what the fronts of the bottom looked like without the gear bays though and it was very helpful in showing what the painted areas before the new gear bays looked like. Still, if somebody does happen to have a "holy grail" pic of sorts, that would be most cool.

 

[Whiskey]

Of course, we are never going to get a true recent ortho view of the underside of the five footer as it looked for ANH unless ILM shot one before they moved out of their Van Nuys location to move north. Those gear bays on the front for ESB mean it got altered a bit. I have seen a couple images in the SW issue of Sci Fi and Fantasy effects Magazine/Book to at least show what the fronts of the bottom looked like without the gear bays though and it was very helpful in showing what the painted areas before the new gear bays looked like. Still, if somebody does happen to have a "holy grail" pic of sorts, that would be most cool.

This is one of the better full lower hull pics I got of ANH Falcon.

Anyone have one thats fully painted and not primered or angled?

 

[dreaminspired]

i remember years ago when potf2 came out, toys r us had these huge falcons hanging from the ceilings. i always wanted one.

what happened to them?

those were raffled off by TRU. google search "millenium falcon extraordinaire".

 

[Darth Humorous]

This is one of the better full lower hull pics I got of ANH Falcon.

Thank you for that. I’ve not seen that one before. Sadly, I know what you mean when you say that it is one of the better pix. Always something to ruin it, much like the Monty Python animations where someone gets in the way of the view of a lady who is about to reveal something very personal.

Mark

 

[MARK M3]

I would actually be sastified with a Fine Molds 1/72 scale of the original Falcon.
I am a Purist by Nature when it comes to this stuff(I prefer the original eight window Seaview, The Original Gemini 12(Later christened the Jupiter Two)Etc.)

I like the Look of the Five Footer..And the size of the Cockpit Etc..I fell in love with it when I saw it on the Big Screen in Docking Bay 94.

 

[crackerjazz]

Hi, guys! I am new to this forum but I have been following the Millenium Falcon threads for a while. I, too, am after the 5-foot falcon. I have plans on building a 32-inch one with the 5-foot Falcon details. I was lucky enough to get my hands on a Legacy Hasbro really cheap. It is based on the 32-incher and the hull curvature is perfect for recreating the 5-foot. It does require cutting down the sidewalls, shaving off and scatchbuilding details, reworking the jawbox, cutting the underside boxes, rebuilding laser cannons, and then obtaining J-BOT's scaled-down 5-foot decals. A lot of work actually, but my 5-year old son is guarding it with his life.

Next, I decided to just get the MPC kit, which, after all, is a model of the 5-foot. I got the Blue Moon upgrade set last week, but I was sorely disappointed. The details on the Blue Moon set, strangely, were based on neither the 5-foot nor the 32-inch, but largely made up. You won't find the car underchassis inside the mandibles, for example.

And so I began to hunt for photos of the Falconkit upgrade. At least it has the car chassis but the outside mandible sidewall details are still all wrong. Oh well, does anybody know of any other upgrade kits out there?
If all else fails I'd probably settle on scratchbuilding the details from styrene or sculpt them out of kneadable cement or some Sculpey.

 

[Nwerke]

I would actually be sastified with a Fine Molds 1/72 scale of the original Falcon.

I would be satisfied with any kit that was ACTUALLY 1/72, i.e. 50cm long, or more. :cry

 

[faustus100]

For years I had fought over the decision to try a 5fter.I finally took the plunge after seeing Erics incredible scratchbuild.Ill be honest-if I had it all to start over I dont know if I would lol.Its a very expensive and time consuming process.
Mark has been helping me for years and he knows more about the Falcon than just about anyone I know.There are alot of both major and subtle differences between both the 5 and 3 foot Falcons,but to non purest they both carry the feel of the ship.For my money the revamped 5 fter in TESB is the quintessential model.It has the landing gear and the new gear boxes-really a work of art IMHO

 

[robn1]

I've always preferred the 5 footer, not just because it's the original but it's just more appealing aesthetically. I never liked the gear boxes, they make the ship look too squared and boxy. But I guess that's what one must expect from boxes :cool

 

[Darth Humorous]

And speaking of that “someone of kindred interest” I mentioned in post #21, I see faust has posted! I didn’t name names before ‘cause I didn’t know if he wanted me to drag him into this thread. The progress of his build is a beautiful thing to behold.

I am in absolute awe of Eric’s build. He built it at half the size of the “5-footer”, and scratched his greeblies in the process! And they look so right.

Regarding the additional boxes, I think the problem with the original model was that when it translated to the “full size” set, the builders didn’t think it was stable enough for only 3 points. No doubt they actually discovered this in ANH. Even tho the “full size” set for that movie was considered a “half” set, the builders did include both rear landing gear as well as the front gear. You’ll notice the same vertical “umbilical”-looking thing under the bird in both docking bay 94 and the death star hangar. That is actually a “4th gear” in disguise…and, I might add, looks to be in just about the same location as the forward starboard gear in TESB. True, the ANH set was starboard side heavy due to the missing mass of the port side, but I suspect they didn’t want to take chances in the next movie, so the additional hull boxes with gear simply appeared without explanation on the models and the “full size” set for consistency.

Mark

 

[MARK M3]

And speaking of that “someone of kindred interest” I mentioned in post #21, I see faust has posted! I didn’t name names before ‘cause I didn’t know if he wanted me to drag him into this thread. The progress of his build is a beautiful thing to behold.

I am in absolute awe of Eric’s build. He built it at half the size of the “5-footer”, and scratched his greeblies in the process! And they look so right.

Regarding the additional boxes, I think the problem with the original model was that when it translated to the “full size” set, the builders didn’t think it was stable enough for only 3 points. No doubt they actually discovered this in ANH. Even tho the “full size” set for that movie was considered a “half” set, the builders did include both rear landing gear as well as the front gear. You’ll notice the same vertical “umbilical”-looking thing under the bird in both docking bay 94 and the death star hangar. That is actually a “4th gear” in disguise…and, I might add, looks to be in just about the same location as the forward starboard gear in TESB. True, the ANH set was starboard side heavy due to the missing mass of the port side, but I suspect they didn’t want to take chances in the next movie, so the additional hull boxes with gear simply appeared without explanation on the models and the “full size” set for consistency.

Mark

I also read somewhere(I can't remember:cry), That Lucas wanted more "Stuff" Under the Falcon to make it more interesting due to the fact a Lot of action was Taking place there.

I actully Liked that "4th gear" In disguise LOL!

 

[faustus100]

Almost done with the enginedeck-some shots
Still alot of sanding and little stuff to do

 

[Howard]

Astonishing!

 

[superjedi]

Faustus! Hadn't seen progress on your Falcon in forever. Looking amazing!! :love

 

[Colin Droidmilk]

For me, the 5 footer is the one. And of the two editions of the model I prefer the original configuration simply because I love seeing the full curve of the lower hull dome, particular in the overhead flyby shots.

I'm actually very surprised how little attention is being given to Jpagaduan's incredible studio scale scratchbuild. Wish we could see more action on that thread, and also more of Faustus' breathtaking build.

 

[ozzyguanche]

faustus,

I thought your wife must have found out how much money you have invested in this project and had you commited!!!! Glad to see you are still safe and active.

beatlepaul!! I have seen what you have done with the FM falcon, I am sure you could build yourself a 5' foot version out of the AMT/MPC/ERLT falcon.

Some shameless pic of my own AMT ( ANH version ).

Cockpit up close

I have said before that I would be happy to work with someone to build everything again (I think I can do it beter the second time) so it can be cast. Would a small 5' version falcon look ok next to your FM Falcon???

Ozzy

 

[Anakin Starkiller]

Wow, that looks awesome. How did you do that with an AMT falcon?

 

[Nwerke]

The MPC Falcon has always had a pretty nice top and bottom hull, not curved enough but generally good. It's like the sides were mastered by somebody else altogether.

This here is looking like a really nice job so far!

All this talk of the five-footer is making me want one again. It's a periodic urge that I squash resolutely. But...for the last week and a half I've been rebuilding my shed into a useable workspace. I'll soon have eleven metres of racking, three desks and two workbenches, all clear and ready to go...hmmmm!!!!

 

[INCOM]

Great job Ozzyguanche!

Faustus, you really should start a thread dedicated to your incredible buiid in the Studio Scale section!